As a former collegiate volleyball star at nearby Delta College Lurysol Oliver gained valuable fitness knowledge but it was nearly accidental that she became a personal trainer at all. Her bilingual talents helped her acquire her start as a trainer and training manager at 24-hour Fitness, but it’s her passion to see clients succeed, to transform their bodies that are key to her success as a Fitness 360 private personal trainer. Intense and competitive on the volleyball court, Lurysol’s self-described ‘encouraging’ approach has significantly contributed to her clients success as well as her own during her three years at Fitness 360. Meet private personal trainer, Lurysol Olivera …

Talk about your athletic background and how you got started as a trainer.
I played volleyball throughout high school and college; I grew up in Ripon and came to play at Delta College following high school. After earning my Associates Arts degree, I moved back to Ripon and coached high school and a club team in my hometown. Toward the end of my college career a friend mentioned that 24-hour Fitness needed a bilingual trainer; I took the tests, passed and started training clients. The big hook for me was seeing how happy people where when they saw their amazing results. That’s pretty much what pushed me to get my certifications and to make a career of personal training.

What do you enjoy most about personal training?
I really like helping others achieve weight loss. I’ve lost over 60 pounds myself and I know what it’s like to go to a big gym and have everyone looking at you. That’s the greatest part about Fitness 360; it’s small, it’s private and it’s personal… I can work with my clients one-on-one to customize a diet, nutrition and exercise program consistent with their goals, needs and ability. There’s plenty of energy at the studio, but not so many other clients training that you feel self conscious or intimidated. People are totally different people in this private studio environment. They get results quicker and are different people from when they start compared to when they start seeing results. It’s really fun!

How has being bilingual and having achieved significant weight loss yourself helped your clients?
Many of my Spanish speaking clients chose me specifically because there isn’t a language barrier between us. I think in the past, with language being an issue, these same clients wouldn’t have bothered with a personal trainer. But I’m proof that bi-lingual is out there and I’m proud of it!Having lost a lot of weight myself makes it’s easier for me to relate. I know what it’s like to battle the urge to eat something you know will blow your diet or feel like you can’t do something because you don’t have the energy, strength or stamina. Since I’ve been through it, I’m better able to relate and motivate my clients to stick with it and achieve their goals.

What’s a training session with Lurysol like?
I’m pretty fun and energetic. I’m not going to yell at you or be too intense, although that’s how I am on the volleyball court. I know from experience I don’t want someone yelling at me and I couldn’t be like that either. I’m going to be very encouraging but I challenge all of my clients. I’m certainly not passive; my clients don’t let me down because of the fact that we usually get very close. We can talk about things and find ways to work through them, in other words… encouraging and personal.

What else can clients look forward to with you?
A comprehensive education about diet, exercise and lifestyle change. We’ll get multivitamins and go shopping. I want my clients to understand that success is more than just a diet. I go above and beyond to help them and to introduce them to an integrated comprehensive program that is long term and something they can stick to. It will be a lifestyle change.